Amy M. Schaefer
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From the Front Porch

I am an "accidental blogger". When I launched my writing career in March of 2014, one of the things that I decided to include was my journaling, which I have always found to be a comforting and therapeutic endeavor.  It was a big risk to open myself up in such a public forum, but it has taught me that, for the most part, we share far more experiences than we think. It's comforting to know I'm not alone!  (*the "Button Text" is the link to my first novel)
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The Sob Story

6/24/2015

2 Comments

 
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"A weak person destroys others in order to feel better about themselves; a strong person knows that by building others up he or she becomes stronger, too." ~A. Schaefer

We all have a sob story...pain we've had to endure, hardships we've had to overcome. Life, in general, will flat out break you if you let it. People will do that, too. Some will do it carelessly, without malicious intent, while for others it is quite calculated and deliberate. Either way, the hurt is the same, the wounds still bleed red. I believe that those who harm others intentionally do so to mask their own self-hatred and pain. Inside the black space where they live, they're going down and by God taking as many people as possible with them. I recognize these kinds of people fairly quickly, have in fact had too many of them close enough to me to cause some serious, life-long damage. And one or two damn near broke me beyond repair. "Almost" only counts, however, in horse shoes and strategic air strikes.

My life has been a series of pain, joy, betrayal, lies, truth, courage, and building experiences...just like everyone elses. I can choose to allow the difficult things to destroy me, turn me into something ugly, or use them to build beautiful things from the devastation when it comes. I choose...to build. I choose...to remove toxic people from my Tribe. I choose...to love without fear, and adjust my course when and if that love goes horribly wrong. My "sob" story may not be unique, but it's mine and it matters. Not all of those tears I've shed have been from pain and every single difficult thing I've had to face has been wrapped in a lesson, as well as opportunities. Every time someone or something has shattered me into pieces, I've learned how to turn those pieces into seeds that grow. It's a skill-set that is not easy to learn but I can promise you it yields great rewards!
2 Comments
Tracie Smith
6/24/2015 10:34:29 am

Amy, I could not put that into words. Your strength amazes me daily. I love you Sister. As Tad and I say... Now always and forever - present, past and future. It seems you have always been in my heart ♥

Reply
Amy Marie Schaefer
6/25/2015 11:33:07 pm

I don't feel very strong right now but thank you. Mostly I just know that the only way to face this world is be looking everything right in the eyes....even the things we want to look away from and dealing with whatever comes the best way we can. Sometimes I'd much rather hide but I will be damned if I allow life to do that to me.

♡
A.

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    About The Author

    I grew up in rural North Carolina. When I was only nineteen, I moved away and became a military wife. My only aspiration at that tender time in my life was to create an adult life that "fixed" all of the "injustices" of my childhood. Secretly, however, I wanted to reach for the sky! I wanted to be a writer and find ways to "save the world" (my mother used to say, "You have Save the World Syndrome".). Mostly, I wanted to matter.

    Since then, I have learned to reach well beyond what I ever dared to think was possible. I've learned not to allow fear to stop me from whatever future I want to create!

    What keeps me grounded? My Tribe! What provides the wind beneath my wings? A well of reserves filled with unstoppable passion!

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  • Amy M. Schaefer, Writer
  • Blog: From the Front Porch
  • Novels
  • Short Stories
    • Children's Books
  • About the Author
  • Contact
  • Photo & Art Gallery